The Lahore High Court (LHC) Cheif Justice Aalia Neelum expressed strong dissatisfaction with IG Punjab Usman Anwar over the delayed response to incidents of harassment of female students in educational institutions.
During a hearing today, the Chief Justice of Lahore High Court questioned IG Anwar’s actions, particularly his department's failure to prevent a viral video from inciting protests.
The Chief Justice remarked, “Where were you on the 14th and 15th of October? Why didn’t you stop the video from going viral and prevent the students from taking to the streets?”
IG Anwar, summoned by the court, defended his actions, explaining that they contacted the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) immediately after becoming aware of the viral content.
However, the Chief Justice remained unimpressed, pointing out that the video had already spread across more than 700 social media accounts before any action was taken. “You wake up when everything is burnt. Why didn’t you act sooner?” the Chief Justice added.
The court further criticized the failure to shut down websites that were hosting the viral content, despite requests sent by the authorities.
The Chief Justice noted that platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter) still had the offensive material available, calling it a clear failure on the part of the police and PTA.
The court has ordered IG Punjab to provide a detailed account of his department’s actions on October 14th and 15th, demanding answers as to why the situation was allowed to escalate without intervention.
The hearing has reignited a broader conversation about the responsibilities of law enforcement and digital authorities in preventing and controlling incidents of harassment, especially in educational institutions.
LHC seeks accountability over suicide at Punjab University hostel
The Lahore High Court has expressed deep concern over the recent suicide of a student at Punjab University, prompting Chief Justice Alia Neelam to demand a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
During a court hearing, the Chief Justice directed the Inspector General (IG) Punjab to provide details regarding the incident.
The Chief Justice questioned whether a female police constable was present when the victim’s body was taken away, emphasizing the importance of proper protocol in such sensitive matters.
"It was not mentioned in the newspaper," remarked the Chief Justice, highlighting the media's failure to report on critical aspects of the case.
According to reports, the deceased girl was living in a room with her sister, raising concerns about their living conditions and the support available to students.
The Chief Justice noted that the girl's parents had refused to conduct a post-mortem examination, a decision that complicates the investigation.
The court was informed that the victim's parents were present in the courtroom, indicating their involvement in the ongoing proceedings.
The IG Punjab stated that efforts are being made to extract numbers and location data from the girl's mobile phone, which may provide further insights into her state of mind prior to her death.
Additionally, it was revealed that some information had been received from Okara, which is currently classified as a secret report.
The IG Punjab assured the court that all aspects of the case are being thoroughly investigated to determine the reasons behind the girl's tragic decision to take her own life.
